Yassmin Abdel-Magied

Yassmin Abdel-Magied is a social commentator and mechanical engineer. Born in Sudan and raised in Australia, she underwent the "Aussie rite of passage" by moving to London after a stint working for a string of engineering multinationals. Abdel-Magied is known for encouraging greater secular understanding of Islam, presenting a 14-minute TED Talk in 2014 on the question What does my headscarf mean to you? She has since presented an Islamic headwear fashion program, and spoken out against kneejerk reactions to Sharia law, emphasising its commitment to mercy and kindness.